United Fund drive underway

You can give at the office or online this year as the United Fund of Cherokee County’s fundraising campaign for 2019-20 has begun.

The United Fund now offers donors the opportunity to donate from its website, www.unitedfundetx.org.

“Donations can be made by using PayPal or a credit card,” campaign Chair Pam Anderson said. “If anyone is not contacted and would like to donate, the website is an excellent way to donate.”

The United Fund of Cherokee County has provided assistance to 19 different agencies in the Cherokee County area since 1975, according to the United Fund’s website.

Captains, workers and other volunteers will also be contacting companies and individuals now through the month of December, seeking donations to help support numerous local non-profit entities.

Traditionally, the United Way depends on donations from employees to help meet each year’s goal. This year’s goal is $107,000.

According to the organization’s website, in 2017 an estimated 51 percent of funds raised came from employee payroll deductions.

United Way Secretary Betty E. Taylor stated, “It is the employees, through their voluntary payroll deductions, that give the most in the campaign.”

The Major Division kickoff was held on Monday, Sept. 9. The Employee Division kickoff was held on Tuesday, Sept. 10. The Rusk Division, led by Larry Long of Austin Bank, met on Monday, Sept. 16, at Austin Bank-Rusk.

Pam Anderson, of Compacity, is the Campaign Chair this year. The Major Division Chair is Terry Morrow with Southside Bank. The Employee Division chair is Jaclyn Tyler with Austin Bank-Jacksonville. The General Division is led by Amy Pate of Edward Jones.
Agencies to receive funding from the United Fund this year are: the American Red Cross ($6,000); ACCESS ($500); Boy Scouts of America ($2,000); CASA ($2,500); Cherokee County Crisis Center ($12,000); Christmas Cheer ($5,000); Texas Ramp Project ($1,500); East Texas Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse (ETCADA); Good Samaritan ($2,500); HOPE ($24,000); Jacksonville Literacy Council ($4,000); Living Alternatives ($3,000); Meals on Wheels ($7,000); Salvation Army ($3,000); Gateway Community Partners ($10,000); Clothes Closet & More ($4,000); Packs of Love ($2,000); and the local United Fund campaign ($7,000).

The Cherokeean Herald will spotlight each organization supported by the United Way fund in its upcoming issues.